Corsair H80 Review

The Corsair H80 is made by CoolIT and is part of the company’s new generation of all-in-one liquid coolers. It has a new micro-channel copper cold plate, which Corsair claims offers better heat dissipation over older models. It’s also manufactured using a process that’s proprietary to CoolIT called Micro Deformation, which is said to allow waste heat to be transmitted from the CPU to the cooling fluid very efficiently.

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The new control unit serves as a hub for the two 120mm fans included with the H80, providing three fan speeds. As shown above, you have the option of using just one fan or both. The CPU block then plugs into the motherboard via a 3-pin fan header. The unit also sports a third connection that will enable the cooler to link up to Corsair’s Link system – according to Corsair, this will offer better fan control. Meanwhile, the hoses connect to a full-depth radiator, using the two fans in a push-pull configuration.

However, Corsair specifies that the radiator fans should also act as intakes. This is a potential issue, as pulling in cool air from outside the case will mean better CPU cooling but also dumping heat back into your case, which isn’t ideal.

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On LGA1155 systems, four screws attach the CPU block to a backplate via a mounting bracket that screws to the CPU block itself – a simple task. Meanwhile, on AMD systems, the H80 uses the standard AMD retention bracket, with two loops hooking over the bracket clips.

With the backplate and LGA2011 motherboard already installed and held firm, installing the H80 is a cinch; just screw the four standoffs into the LGA2011 socket’s four screw holes, fit the CPU block unit and tighten with the four flat-head screws.